SRS do indeed have oustanding service, but I'm not sure that "seller fulfils legal obligation to replace faulty item" can really be regarded as an example of it

Since the other topic got locked (a bit odd, since John had posted in it himself, but never mind!), this is a follow-up to my previous post there.

I've had a look at the shots I took at the one wedding I've done. Of those shots taken during the ceremony itself (and as I said in the other thread, this was in a room with lots of windows on a sunny day in August) 57% of the photos were taken at the widest end of my kit lens (18-24mm is as precise as ImageReporter tells me, since it rounds to the nearest 10mm). Although your experience may vary, this does perhaps suggest that something like a Sigma 30 f1.4 or a Pentax 35 f2.4 will not be even nearly wide enough.

The big question that you HAVE to know the answer to (and if you could tell us it would help us advise you!) is whether you are allowed to use flash during the ceremony or not.

If your budget will stretch to the Tamron 17-50 then get that: it's a very good lens indeed. The only proviso I would add is that if you are going to order one you should do it sooner rather than later. This lens sometimes has front-focusing/back-focusing issues on arrival so you need to have time to test the focus accuracy and if necessary exchange the lens before the wedding. (In fact you should do this for any lens if it's going to be used for crucial work)

If you're thinking of a lens upgrade, then two options spring to mind: the 35mm f2.4 prime (about £160 if memory serves), or the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 zoom. Both are very well regarded, and the Tamron would offer much more flexibility but it does cost £300 so might be out of your reach.

A useful question for you to ask (or tell us the answer to, if you already have) is where you're likely to be standing in relation to the ceremony itself. I'm not familiar with Asian weddings, but if you won't be that far away from the bride and groom then the fast fifty isn't likely to be of much use during the ceremony for example.

Definitely leave the manual lenses at home: you'll have enough on your plate corralling people into the appropriate combinations for the photographs without worrying about MF and stop-down metering.

It is indeed a bad idea if (as with most weddings) the use of flash is not allowed during the ceremony. I only just managed with the 18-55 (on the same camera model as the OP) and that was in a registry office with a decent number of windows on a sunny August day. Remember that, unless you're going to have time to change exposure settings before every shot you'll need to have the kit lens set to f5.6 regardless of focal length.

Perhaps it's a security thing? Sending personal details like someone's postal address over an unencrypted email (about as secure as a postcard) has always struck me as a particularly thick thing to do.

I thought it would be a useful footnote to this thread to say that my 200AW is here, and it's perfect. It comfortably holds everything on my list, plus my Metz 48 flash, with sufficient space left over that a Limited could be fitted in easily, and something bigger probably could with a bit of cramming. I'm chuffed enough with this setup though, that I'm now on LBA hiatus and will get to know my newly-portable kit much better before I even consider adding another lens. As a bonus, it is light enough (in relative terms) that I can see myself taking it out more often - and that really is the key!

The other option is to buy a photo gear 'insert' for a bag (Tenba and Domke ones are sold separately by Warehouse Express IIRC) - i.e. the padded section that comes inside dedicated photo bags. Then just stick velcro to the inside of your bag (to hold it in place) and you have a convertible photo/non-photo backpack.

I'm coming round to the view that the best option (for my use anyway) would be a smaller Lowepro Stealth Reporter: most of the other bags I've looked at have some flaw or other. My dilemma is between the 200 and 300 sizes. Any ideas as to which would best suit? I'm pretty strongly leaning towards the 200, but don't want it to turn up and be just too small.

PS: I should add that a Crumpler Cupcake 5500 has been and gone (or it will be when the courier turns up tomorrow to get it): it turned out to be an inch shorter in length and depth than it was supposed to be.

Actually, a couple of years ago STV opted out of some ITV 'network' shows in favour of cheaper-to-produce domestic stuff ("The Bill" was a high-profile casualty of this when it was still running) - this resulted in a legal bunfight. They've never been particularly flush with cash, and with ITV having just announced that they're no longer going to buy Taggart (one of their main money-spinners) from them I suspect they're slightly less flush with cash now.

How much power do they actually have though? If people want to take the work then do Equity have any ability to stop them? (EDIT: Not trying to make any sort of political point here, I just mean in practical terms is there anything Equity can do besides condemning it?)

Anyone have shots of a champagne-coloured K100D Super to bring this full circle?

But after six months the consumer has to prove that the item was faulty at the time of purchase (ie wasn't built properly), whereas (most) manufacturer/seller warranties cover any faults that develop so long as they aren't caused by misuse. The various consumer organisations who quote the Sale of Goods Act as "a free six-year warranty" (or words to that effect) do the public a great disservice IMO.